Bulletin – January 25, 2015

FAMILY OF FAITH

Our parish has commenced the Family of Faith campaign as mandated by the Archdiocese of Toronto. As stated in my Christmas letter, the parish goal is $900,000 of which 25% will remain in the parish. We hope to use these funds to develop our youth ministry program.

Commitment Sundays are scheduled for January 25th and February 1st. Commitment pledges of $5,000 or more may be made over five years. Pledges less than $5,000 are to be fulfilled within 3 years.
I would ask you to be as generous as you always are to cover this special appeal.

WELCOME! BAPTISM

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Chloe Wai-Shan Li
Dominic Toufic Homaidan
Ellie Norah Oulahen
Evelyn Elise Oulahen

These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, January 18th, 2015. Congratulations!

ECO-SABBATH

Sunday, February 1st at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room

On the first Sunday of each month, the Passionist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality facilitates a 30 minute reflection and discussion prompted by the readings for that Sunday’s liturgy. The guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings. All are welcome.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – FIRST FRIDAY

Friday, February 6th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE CELEBRATION

Sunday, February 1st at 3:00 PM

St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street

On Sunday, February 1st, the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life.

“They are men and women who can awaken the world. Consecrated life is prophecy. God asks us to be sent to the frontiers of the world, avoiding the temptation to ‘domesticate’ them. This is the most concrete way of imitating the Lord.” Pope Francis, on the occasion of his announcement that 2015 will be dedicated to consecrated life.

In the Archdiocese of Toronto we are blessed to have living and serving among us more than 1,000 religious men and women of over 100 different religious congregations. This World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life is a wonderful opportunity for us to thank God for the gifts of these religious sisters, brothers and priests and to pray for God’s blessing upon them in their efforts to faithfully live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.

There will be a special Mass next Sunday, February 1st at 3:00 PM at St. Paul’s Basilica, Toronto in celebration of the vocation and witness of these special men and women religious who are such a vital and important part of the life and ministry of the Church in our Archdiocese. All are welcome to attend.

ROSARY GROUPS

English: Saturday, February 7th at 3:15 PM in the Gabriel Room

Chinese: Sunday, February 1st at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.

For information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.

WORLD LEPROSY DAY – SUNDAY, JANUARY 25th

USED STAMP COLLECTION

This Sunday, January 25th, is World Leprosy Day. Please remember to bring us your used postage stamps. These are passed on to the Effect Hope helping them work towards the day when leprosy is eradicated. They are happy to accept any and all trimmed stamps, leaving no less than ¼ inch and no more than ½ inch paper border. Stamps may be deposited in the basket on the cabinet just outside the Parish Office.

For further information, please contact the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs at 416-934-3400, Ext. 344 or Ext. 527 or vkwok@archtoronto.org.

THEOLOGY ON TAP: ASK THE BISHOP

Monday, January 26th at 7:00 PM

Duke of York, 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto

Faith Connections invites young adults 19-39 to join us for an evening of thought-provoking theological discussions and presentations in a comfortable and relaxed setting. The special guest will be Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto, who will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about our faith. Munchies will be provided and there is a cash bar. Come and bring a friend!

AWAKENING TO THE SPIRIT IN TIMES OF SUFFERING – WHAT TO DO WITH MY EXPERIENCE?

Monday, February 9th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM

The Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge St.,Toronto.

Catholic Family Services of Toronto – New Beginnings. will host an Inspirational talk entitled Awakening the Spirit in Times of Suffering.on Monday February 9th at 7:00 PM.

The speaker will be Maureen McDonnell, D.Min. For more information, please contact 416-921-1163 x2235 or email mbenincasa@cfstoronto.com.

RECEIPTS FOR 2014

The tax receipts for 2014 have been mailed out this week.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2015

If you are a regular Parish member and you do not contribute to the Offertory collection, the Finance Council reminds you that “the financial burden of the Parish is the responsibility of each and all parishioners to the extent that your means allow”.

For those parishioners who contribute to the offertory on a regular weekly basis, we thank you for your constant support. Have you considered using PAG or Donate Now?

If you are not currently using parish envelopes and wish to have a set issued for 2015, please contact the Parish Office and we will prepare a box for you. This is the most effective way to keep track of your donations. If you have recently moved, please inform the Parish Office so that we may keep our parish records up to date.

In 2015, please do not use any envelopes from 2014 or any envelopes from previous years as the number on it may have been reassigned. Please put your name on your envelope to ensure that your donation is properly recorded.

Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.